Carton opening tool with slidable cutting means



N. M. OLNEY CARTON OPENING TOOL WITH SLIDABLJE CUTTING MEANS Filed July31, 1964 Jan. 24, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

NA THAN/E L M. 0L NE V A T TORNEY Jan. 24, 1967 N. M. QLNEY 3,299,449

CARTON OPENING TOOL WITH SLIDABLE CUTTING MEANS Filed July 31, 1964 4Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR NATHAN/EL M. OLNEV BY 99/999 M A T TORNE) CARTONOPENING TOOL WITH SLIDABLE CUTTING MEANS Filed July 51, 1964 N. M. OLNEYJan. 24, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

NA THAN/EL M OLNEY BY 9.10% M A TTORNE V N. M. OLNEY Jan. 24, 1967CARTON OPENING TOOL WITH SLIDABLE CUTTING MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledJuly 31, 1964 I NV ENTOR.

NA THAN/EL M. OLNE) A T TORNE) United States Patent 3,299,449 CARTONOPENING TOOL WITH SLIDABLE CUTTING MEANS Nathaniel M. Olney, New York,N.Y., assignor to Swinggne, Inc., Long Island City, N.Y., a corporationof New ork Filed July 31, 1964, Ser. No. 386,558 6 Claims. (Cl. 7-5.4)

This invention relates to a carton opening tool which has particularapplication to a tool utilized to remove staples, wiring and taping fromcartons.

At the present time most cartons made of paper or fiber are secured inclosed position by means of staples, tape or wiring. In many cases allthree methods of closure are utilized. Heretofore there has been nosatisfactory tool devised to accomplish the purposes of this invention.Particularly when a carton is to be opened which is closed by staples,tape and wiring, it has been an almost impossible job to properly openthe carton without damaging the contents. The person seeking to open thecarton had not satisfactory way of removing the staples,

' cutting the wire and cutting the tape.

By means. of the tool of the instant invention, the problem set forthabove has been solved. The operator of this invention may utilize it toremove staples, to cut wire, and to remove tape. All of these actionscan be done with the same tool.

The above constitutes a brief description of the instant invention andthe objects and advantages thereof.

The invention will now be further described by reference to theaccompanying drawings which are made a part of this'specification.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a carton opening tool made inaccordance with this invention. The tool is shown in opened position andwith the cutting means in retracted position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to that of FIG. 1, but withthe jaw members of the tool in closed position. FIG. 3 is a frontelevational view of the tool shown in FIG. 1 and in the position shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4, but with the jawmembers in closed position and the actuator member in depressedposition.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, but with the actuator memberremovably connected with another of the detent means upon one of thesupport portions of one of the jaw members, the portion chosen causingthe blade member of the tool to be in partially extended position.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6, but with the actuator memberremovablyengaged with another of the detent means so that the blademember is in further extended position.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7, but with the actuator memberremovably engaged with still another of the detent means causing theblade to be disposed in fully extended position.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 7.

. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along lines 1010 of FIG. 8.

FIG. llis a fragmentary sectional view similar to a portion of the viewshown in FIG. 4, but illustrating an alternative type of means forremovably engaging the actuator. The actuator here is shown in engagedposition with one of the detent means.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to that of FIG. 11, but showing the actuatordisengaged from the detent means.

3,299,449 Patented Jan. 24, 1967 lCe FIG. 13 is an inverted sideelevational view of the carton opening tool of this invention shown inFIG. 1

, but showing the side opposite to that of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to that of FIG. 13 but showing the handlemembers and jaw members of this invention in partially closed position.This position is assumed when the device is utilized to cut wire.

The invention will now he specifically described by reference to thespecific forms set forth in the accompanying drawings which representthe best mode known to .the inventor of taking advantage of hisinvention. The

reader is cautioned to note that the specific forms of this invention asset forth in this specification are for illustrative purposes and forpurposes of example only. Various changes and modifications couldobviously be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

The device of this invention 11 is formed with a pair of jaws 12 and 13.Jaws 12 and 13 are inwardly and pivotally movable about pin 14. Jaw 12is formed with a support portion 15 and jaw 13 is formed with a supportportion 16. Support portion 15 is angular in shape and bears anangularly oifset portion 17. Support portion 13 is also angular in shapeand bears an angularly offset portion 18. A spring member 19 is disposedabout pin 14 and bears a pair of angularly disposed arm members 20 and21 which are operatively connected to jaws 12 and 13. Spring 19 normallyholds jaws 12 and 13 in opened relationship. A handle member 22 issecured to offset portion 18 of jaw 13, and an additional handle 23 issecured to offset portion 17 of jaw 12. Rivets 24 secure handle 22 toportion 18 and rivets 25 secure handle 23 to portion 17. Handle 22 bearsa hook member 26 thereupon and handle member 23 bears a ring member 27thereupon. A link member 28 is secured within ring 27 and is engageablewith hook 26. Members 26, 27 and 28 constitute removable locking meanswhich secure handle members 22 and 23 in closed position as shown inFIG. 2.

A shield member 29 is secured to handle 22 by rivets 31 and anadditional shield member 30 is secured to handle 23 by rivets 32.

Support portion 15 of jaw 12 is also formed with a front portion 33 anda plurality of spaced side portions 34. Jaw member 13 is formed with afront portion 35 and a plurality of side portions 36. A pair of prongmembers 37 are secured to portion 34 of jaw 12 by rivet 39 and aplurality of prong portions 38 are secured to side portions 36 of jaw 13by rivets 40.

A projecting cutter member 41 provided with a slot 42 is secured toportion 18 of jaw 13 by means of rivets 43. A complementary cuttermember 44 is secured to a side 34 of jaw 12 and abuts cutter 41. Portion33 upon jaw 12 is provided with an elongated recess 45 which in turnbears a plurality of space detent portions 46. A slideway 47 is carriedby portion 33 and is disposed behind recess 45.

In the form of this invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 10 and 13 and 14,a carrier member 48 is disposed within slideway 47. An angular member 50is secured to carrier 48 by screw 51. Angular member 50 bears a pair ofprojections 52 which are permanently attached to blade 49. An actuator53 is secured within recess 54 provided within carrier member 48 bymeans of enlarged portion 55. A spring member 56 is disposed withinrecess 57 also provided within carrier 48. A detent engaging portion 58is also provided upon actuator 53 and a button 59 is also utilized.

also bears an enlarged threaded portion 63 thereupon and an enlargedbutton member 64. The detent portions 46a of recess 45 are alsothreaded.

With the foregoing specific description, the operation of this inventionmay now be explained.

Referring first to the principal form of this invention shown in FIGS. 1through and 13 and 14, when a staple is to be removed by the use of thedevice, the parts thereof are placed in the position shown in FIG. 1 ofprongs 37 and 38 engaged with the crown of the staple. Handle members 22and 23 are then squeezed together and the staple is removed.

When it is desired to cut wire which binds the carton,

the wire is laid within recess 42 and handles 22 and 23 squeezedtogether so as to cause member 44 to pass recess 42 and thus cut thewire.

When it is desired to cut tape, handles 22 and 23 are locked in thepositions shown in FIG. 2. Button 59 of actuator 53 is depressed so asto clear portion 58 from a detent 46. Actuator 53 is then slid downrecess 45 and will automatically engage the succeeding detent andautomatically lock from within. Blade 49 can thus be retracted orextended to the particular point desired.

If blade 49 becomes dull and has to be removed, screw 51 is removed andthe entire assembly consisting of element 5i) and blade 49 removed fromcarrier member 48. A new assembly can then be put in place.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the blade 49 canbe retracted or extended by merely turning button 64 and thereby causingthreaded portion 63 to leave the appropriate detent. The assembly canthen be slid along recess 45 until the appropriate detent is engaged.The assembly can then be positioned within the appropriate detent.

It is noted that the same handles serve to support all of the cuttingelements whether they be blade 49, prongs 37, 38 or recess 42.Furthermore all of these cutting elements are carried on the jaws. Thusa single tool is produced rather than a requirement for three separatetools. Furthermore the various cutting means required can be selected bythe operator while the tool is in his hand permitting rapid and quickcarton opening.

The foregoing description sets forth the manner in which the objects ofthis invention are achieved.

I claim:

1. A carton opening device comprising a pair of inwardly and pivotallymovable connected jaws each having a support portion and a pair ofspaced prong members connected thereto, a longitudinally extendinghandle member connected to each of said jaws, spring means between saidjaws normally biasing them outwardly, locking means upon said handlemembers adapted to hold them in closed position, a slideway carried bythe support portion of one of said jaws at the front thereof, a slidablymovable carrier member within said slideway, a blade connected to saidcarrier, and means operatively connected to said carrier and saidsupport portion adapted to maintain said carrier in selected fixedpositions so that said blade member may be extended or retracted, saidmeans comprising a movable actuator connected to said carrier, andreleasable detent means upon said support portion adapted to hold saidactuator in fixed positions.

2. A carton opening device comprising a pair of inwardly and pivotallymovable connected jaws each having a support portion and a pair ofspaced prong members connected thereto, a longitudinally extendinghandle member connected to each of said jaws, spring means between saidjaws normally biasing them outwardly, locking means upon said handlemembers adapted to hold them in closed position, the support portion ofone of said jaws provided with an elongated recess therewithin andhaving detent means at spacd points along said recess, a slidewaydisposed adjacent said recess and carried by said support portion, aslidably movable carrier member within said slideway, a blade dependingfrom and connected to said carrier, and an actuator connected to saidcarrier and slidably movable within said elongated recess, said actuatorbeing also removably connectable with said detent means so that saidblade member may be maintained in fixed extended or retracted positions.

3. A carton opening device comprising a pair of inwardly and pivotallymovable connected jaws each having a support portion and a pair ofspaced prong members connected thereto, a longitudinally extendinghandle member connected to each of said jaws, spring means between saidjaws normally biasing them outwardly, locking means upon said handlemembers adapted to hold them in closed position, the support portion ofone of said jaws provided with an elongated recess therewithin andhaving detent means at spaced points along said recess, a slidewaydisposed behind said recess and carried by said support portion, aslidably movable carrier member within said slideway, a blade dependingfrom and connected to said carrier, in inwardly movable actuator alsoslidably movable within said elongated recess connected to said carrier,said actuator being also removably connectable with said detent means sothat said blade member may be maintained in fixed, extended or retractedpositions, and means for holding said actuator in removable contact withsaid detent means.

4. A device as described in claim 3 wherein said means for holding saidactuator comprise a spring member connected thereto normally biasingsaid actuator in outward position.

5. A device as described in claim 3 wherein said means for holding saidactuator comprise a threaded portion upon said actuator and a matingthreaded portion upon said detent means.

6. A carton opening device comprising a pair of inwardly and pivotallymovable connected jaws each having a support portion and a pair ofspaced prong members connected thereto, each of said support portionsincluding a front element and a plurality of spaced side elements, apair of complimentary cutting members connected to adjacent sideelements of adjacent jaws, a longitudinally extending handle membercarried by each of said jaws, spring means intervening said jawsnormally biasing them outwardly, locking means upon said handle membersadapted to hold them in closed position, the front element of thesupport portion of one of said jaws provided with an elongated recesstherewithin and having detent means at spaced points along said recess,a slideway disposed behind said recess and carried by said frontelement, a slidably movable carrier member within said slideway, a bladedepending from and connected to said carrier, and an axially movableactuator having a detent engaging portion thereupon connected to saidcarrier said actuator being also slidably movable within said elongatedrecess, said detent engaging portion being held by said detent meanswhen said actuator is in engaged position but clear of said detent meanswhen said actuator is in its engaged position so that said blade membermay be maintained in fixed, extended or retracted positions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,232,682 7/1917Hartleb 30162 1,388,398 8/1921 Adams 75.4 2,033,050 3/1936 Pankonin25.428 3,143,800 8/1964 Vizzi 75.3 X

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD C. ALLEN, Examiner.

R. V. PARKER, Assistant Examiner.

1. A CARTON OPENING DEVICE COMPRISING A PAIR OF INWARDLY AND PIVOTALLYMOVABLE CONNECTED JAWS EACH HAVING A SUPPORT PORTION AND A PAIR OFSPACED PRONG MEMBERS CONNECTED THERETO, A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDINGHANDLE MEMBER CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID JAWS, SPRING MEANS BETWEEN SAIDJAWS NORMALLY BIASING THEM OUTWARDLY, LOCKING MEANS UPON SAID HANDLEMEMBERS ADAPTED TO HOLD THEM IN CLOSED POSITION, A SLIDEWAY CARRIED BYTHE SUPPORT PORTION OF ONE OF SAID JAWS AT THE FRONT THEREOF, A SLIDABLYMOVABLE CARRIER MEMBER WITHIN SAID SLIDEWAY, A BLADE CONNECTED TO SAIDCARRIER, AND MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID CARRIER AND SAIDSUPPORT PORTION ADAPTED TO MAINTAIN SAID CARRIER IN SELECTED FIXEDPOSITIONS SO THAT SAID BLADE MEMBER MAY BE EXTENDED OR RETRACTED, SAIDMEANS COMPRISING A MOVABLE ACTUATOR CONNECTED TO SAID CARRIER, ANDRELEASABLE DETENT MEANS UPON SAID SUPPORT PORTION ADAPTED TO HOLD SAIDACTUATOR IN FIXED POSITIONS.